The journey of rebuilding my patio canopy was no different. This section delves into the process of how I seamlessly integrated a sturdy 6×6 post through the existing roof eave and employed 3D printing technology for a custom solution.
1. Integrating the 6×6 Post:
Stability is paramount when you’re working on a structure like a patio canopy. By choosing to work with a 6×6 post, I was not only looking at durability but also an aesthetic that commands attention.
Steps to Integration:
Measurement: First, I ensured that the location of the post was precisely where I wanted it, keeping in mind the balance and the overall design of the canopy.
Cutting through the Eave: Cutting through an existing structure requires a steady hand and the right tools. I used a reciprocating saw to create a neat opening just wide enough for the post.
Placement: The 6×6 post was then vertically aligned and set into its predetermined position.
2. Custom 3D Printed Flashing:
Here’s where tradition meets technology. To ensure a watertight seal around the post and the roof eave, a flashing is vital. Instead of settling for an off-the-shelf solution, I took the modern route.
Steps for Flashing:
Designing: Using CAD software, I designed a flashing tailored to fit snugly around the 6×6 post, ensuring compatibility with the roof eave’s shape and dimensions.
Material Choice: Carbon Fiber filament was chosen for its strength and weather-resistant properties. This ensured that the flashing would last a long time without deteriorating.
3D Printing: Once the design was ready, I sent it to my 3D printer. A few hours later, a custom flashing, perfect for my needs, was ready.
3. Connecting the Post and Beam:
Connecting the post and beam securely is crucial for the structural integrity of the canopy. This is where the U-brackets come into play.
Steps for Connection:
U-Brackets: I used two interlinked U-brackets, chosen for their strength and reliability.
Alignment: After marking the correct heights on both the post and the beam, the U-brackets were positioned.
Through Bolting: Once aligned, I drilled holes for through bolts, ensuring they were of the right diameter. With corrosion-resistant bolts, washers, and nuts, the post and beam were tightly connected.
The marriage of traditional woodworking and modern technology like 3D printing has added a unique touch to the canopy project. Not only does the structure stand tall with reinforced strength, but the custom elements, like the 3D printed flashing, add a personal touch. The canopy is not just a shelter; it’s a testament to innovation and creativity in home improvement.
Revamping a space often brings not just an aesthetic appeal but also functional enhancements. If you have a patio canopy, which has seen better days, it’s high time you think of giving it a new lease on life. I recently undertook such a project and wish to share my experience and tips on how to upgrade the patio canopy. I focussed on improving three core areas: the underside, lighting, and airflow.
1. Renewing the Underside:
The underside of a canopy can make or break the overall look. With exposure to the elements, this part can age rapidly, making the entire structure look dated.
Steps to Renew:
Choose your Material: Fresh wood is an excellent choice for the underside due to its natural and inviting appearance. Cedar or redwood are both resistant to rot and pests, making them suitable for outdoor settings.
Preparation: Before attaching the new wood, make sure to remove the old material completely. Clean the framework and check for any structural weaknesses.
Installation: Lay the wooden panels or planks horizontally or vertically based on your design preference. Remember to leave slight gaps between them for better airflow. Secure the wood using corrosion-resistant screws.
2. Illuminating with Elegance:
Adding lights can drastically change the ambiance of your patio. It makes the space usable even after sunset and adds a cozy feel to your outdoor haven.
Steps for Lighting:
Decide on Lighting Type: LED strip lights can be attached to the underside for a continuous glow. Pendant lights or fairy lights can be draped for a more whimsical appearance.
Wiring: If you’re not skilled with electrical tasks, consider hiring a professional. Ensure all wiring is waterproofed and safely hidden.
Switch Control: Consider adding a dimmer switch. This allows you to control the brightness, setting the mood for any occasion.
3. Enhancing Airflow:
A well-ventilated canopy ensures that you stay comfortable, especially during warm days.
Steps for Improved Airflow:
Strategic Gaps: As mentioned, leaving gaps between the wooden planks or panels can enhance airflow. However, make sure they’re not too wide to compromise shade.
Adding Fans: Installing outdoor ceiling fans can make a world of difference. Choose a fan that’s rated for outdoor use. Position it centrally for even distribution.
Climbing Plants: Consider training some climbing plants around the canopy’s edges. While this won’t directly improve airflow, it provides a natural cooling effect.
Rebuilding the patio canopy is more than just a facelift. By focusing on the underside, lighting, and airflow, you’re upgrading both the form and function of your outdoor space. With these enhancements, your patio is set to be your favorite retreat for relaxation and entertainment.
Camille, the culinary masterpiece curated by Chef Tung Phan, presents a distinctive gastronomic journey that is nothing short of a revelation. Serving an extraordinary fusion of Vietnamese and French cuisines, Camille is more than a restaurant, it’s an unforgettable dining experience.
The atmosphere of the restaurant expertly matches the finesse of the menu – sophisticated yet inviting. The tasteful decor seems to echo the commitment to tradition, coupled with a daring innovation that is evident in every dish presented.
The Summer Tasting Menu is a gourmet exploration that begins with an elevated rendition of Banh Xèo, a Vietnamese classic that sets the tone for the rest of the meal. Each subsequent course outdoes the previous, presenting a carefully curated palette of flavours and textures.
The second course, Tra Nong, is a true work of art. A delightful mélange of summer black truffle, Kaluga caviar, and Moulard duck pate foam, it highlights the finesse of French cuisine while staying true to Vietnamese flavour profiles.
An Choi – Tea Egg, Summer Black Truffle Kalusa Caviar, Paté Foam Moulard Duck, Black Sesame
The Thit Heo Nuóng is a fragrant treat, featuring tender Iberico pork infused with lemongrass. The American Red Snapper in the CákhoiLá Chudi dish, served with coconut, shines brightly with its tantalising mix of flavours.
Banh Xèo – Florida Spiny Lobster, Passionfruit
Tra Nong – Camellia Tea Service at Camille Orlando
Manchester Farm Quail in the Chim Oút, served with Wild Ramp Bread, is a standout. The Dungeness Crab in BoLúoLáo bathed in aromatic curry, along with the velvety Kagoshima A5 Wasyu, local greens, bird’s eye chili, and watermelon, create a symphony of flavours that is pure culinary magic.
Thit Heo Nuóng – Iberico Pork, Lemongrass
The meal concludes on a sweet high with the Bánh Chudi – banana and ginger caramel, a dessert that leaves a lingering sweetness, much like the dining experience at Camille.
Cá Khoi Lá Chudi – American Red Snapper, Coconut (Sous Chef caught the fish in the Gulf that very morning)
Adding to the delightful culinary journey is the staff, who strike the perfect balance of professionalism and warmth. Their deep understanding of the menu and careful attention to detail elevates the overall dining experience. Their service, much like the food, is impeccable.
Chim Oút – Manchester Farm Quail, Wild Ramp
Cà Ri Qua – Dungeness Crab, Curry
Bo Lúo Láo – Kagoshima A5 Wasyu, Local Greens
A visit to Camille is an absolute must for any culinary enthusiast. It’s not just a meal; it’s a journey that you will remember long after you’ve left the restaurant. The blend of French and Vietnamese cuisines is a testament to Chef Tung Phan’s talent and creativity, making Camille a shining star in the world of fine dining.
Today, I started a new project in my workshop – a concrete chair for the edge of a pool. The goal is to create a chair that’s strong, safe, and comfortable.
The chair will be made of cast concrete. This material is tough and heavy, which is good because it means the chair will be sturdy and won’t slide into the pool. Plus, it’s built to last.
The design is meant to be practical and comfortable. It’s shaped to fit the human body, with a good backrest and armrests. It’s not just a flat surface, but a chair you can sit back in and feel good.
A nice feature of the chair is that the front edge is lower so you can dip your feet into the water while you sit. It’s a simple pleasure, but one I think will make a big difference.
Working with concrete is tough. It’s hard to mix and pour, and it takes time to set. But it’s also satisfying to see the chair take shape.
Each day, I see the chair moving from just a sketch to something real and tangible. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product by the pool. It’s a straightforward project, but I think it’s going to make a big difference in how people enjoy their time by the water.
an architectural study harmoniously unites the grace of Florida’s Everglades with polished, sophisticated design. Centered around the inherent allure of the waterfront edge, this residential concept breathes life into the vision of a tranquil, natural oasis, perfectly blended with interior and exterior living spaces.
The exterior of an exquisite façade made from native Floridian limestone. Known for its resilience, sustainability, and inherent beauty, this light limestone also offers a cooling effect, perfect for the vibrant Florida sun. The resulting exterior acts as a robust, comforting shield, gracefully aging with time, exuding an aura of profound tranquility and solidity.
Originating from the heart of the residence, an outdoor canopy reaches out, framing the captivating sight of cypress nubs sprouting from the earth, a spectacle reminiscent of the undisturbed Everglades. These cypress nubs, purposefully highlighted, serve as natural sculptures. They present a dramatic yet calming contrast to the modern, sleek lines of the residence, capturing the eye and soul alike.
Encircling these unique cypress installations, meticulously designed moss gardens echo the refined aesthetics of Japanese gardening. These gardens fuse the diverse Floridian ecosystem with the understated beauty and simplicity of Japanese design, creating tranquil areas for relaxation, reflection, and admiration.
Encapsulating the harmonious dialogue between human creativity and natural splendor, crafting a daily sanctuary where luxury converges with simplicity. It embodies the quintessence of Florida’s landscape, immersing its residents in the rare experience of dwelling within the breathtaking beauty of the Everglades, with a specific focus on the mesmerizing allure of the waterfront edge.
Welcome to Everglade Elegance, where natural wonder meets refined architecture, taking inspiration from the untouched beauty of Florida’s Everglades, its cypress trees, and local limestone. This residential home design concept seamlessly merges indoor and outdoor spaces to craft a living experience akin to a peaceful retreat within nature’s arms.
The home’s striking façade is constructed from light, Florida-native limestone, a resilient material known not only for its sustainability, but also for its natural beauty and coolness under the Floridian sun. This exterior encapsulates the home, creating a solid and comfortable shell that ages gracefully with time and evokes a sense of grounded stability.
From the home’s heart extends an outdoor canopy, designed to frame the natural artistry of cypress nubs rising from the ground, echoing the aesthetics of the Everglades. These cypress nubs, framed and lit to draw the eye, serve as natural sculptures, offering a dramatic, yet serene contrast against the modern lines of the house.
Surrounding these cypress features are meticulously curated moss gardens, crafted in the refined tradition of Japanese gardening. These gardens blend the Floridian ecosystem’s diversity with the elegance and minimalism of Japanese design, offering tranquil spots for contemplation and admiration.
Everglade Elegance is a tribute to the interplay between human design and the beauty of nature, evoking an everyday escape where luxury and simplicity meet. It captures the essence of the Florida landscape, bringing its residents into an immersive experience of living within the unique beauty of the Everglades.
RadAF.com, a website that combines dynamic elements, 3D graphics powered by Three.js, and captivating parallax effects. This project has been an incredible opportunity for me to explore new frontiers in web development and design, and I’m eager to record my experiences.
First and foremost, the motivation behind RadAF.com was to deliver an immersive web experience that would captivate users and leave a lasting impression. I wanted to go beyond the traditional boundaries of web design and integrate stunning 3D visuals into the website’s content. To achieve this, I turned to the powerful Three.js library, renowned for its ability to render interactive 3D graphics directly in the browser.
The initial phase of the project involved careful planning and conceptualization. I spent considerable time defining the purpose and target audience of the website, ensuring that the 3D elements and parallax effects would align with its overall goals. Sketching wireframes and mapping out the user flow helped me visualize the website’s structure and layout.
One of the crucial decisions was identifying the specific 3D elements to integrate into RadAF.com. I wanted to strike a balance between functionality and visual appeal. After extensive research, I selected models and animations that would enhance the user experience while aligning with the website’s theme.
Designing the user interface and user experience (UI/UX) came next. I aimed to create an intuitive and visually pleasing design that would complement the 3D elements. Prototyping and iterating on the UI/UX elements allowed me to refine the design and ensure seamless navigation.
The implementation phase was where Three.js truly shone. Setting up the development environment was straightforward, and I was able to create stunning 3D models and animations using the library’s comprehensive features. Integrating these elements into the website’s structure required careful attention to detail, ensuring that they seamlessly blended with the rest of the content.
To further enhance the user experience, I incorporated parallax effects into the website. Parallax scrolling, with its illusion of depth and movement, added an extra layer of immersion. Understanding the principles of parallax scrolling and implementing them using CSS and JavaScript required experimentation and fine-tuning to achieve the desired effects. Aligning the parallax scrolling with the 3D elements helped create a cohesive and engaging experience for users.
Throughout the development process, thorough testing and optimization were crucial. I dedicated time to testing the website across different browsers and devices, ensuring a consistent and smooth experience for all users. Optimizing performance became essential, as the inclusion of 3D elements could potentially impact loading times. Through various techniques, such as optimizing asset sizes and implementing caching strategies, I achieved a balance between visual appeal and optimal performance.
Thea Award For Outstanding Achievement – Theme Park
Despite the pandemic and perhaps the world’s most restrictive lockdown, after 20 years of preparation and planning, the highly anticipated Universal Studios Beijing Theme Park Resort opened in October 2021 as a watershed moment in the Chinese theme park industry. Its ambition, scale and uniform level of excellence have set a new, international standard for theme park destination development and guest experience.
Created under the internal guideline of “global vision, international standards, distinctive Chinese features, and future-oriented goals,” the core Universal Beijing Resort covers 400 hectares and is part of a larger destination development (1,200 hectares) in the Tongzhou Cultural Tourism Zone.
Universal Beijing Resort features Universal Studios Beijing theme park, Universal CityWalk Beijing, and two hotels, including Universal Studios Grand Hotel, the firstever Universal-themed resort hotel.
The park includes seven highly-themed, immersive lands with more than 37 cutting edge attractions, rides, and landmarks;
24 shows and performances; 60 food & beverage venues and 30 retail stores – plus specially created experiences designed to honor and reflect China’s rich cultural heritage. Universal Studios Beijing is also the world’s first theme park resort destination to earn LEED Gold certification.
The Beijing destination blends Eastern and Western cultures both literally and metaphorically in its partnerships, design, attractions, and environmental elements. This is a deep rethinking and culturally appropriate reinvention of the Universal brand. The mix includes several al-new attractions and immersive lands unique to China, along with select evergreen, global fanfavorite Universal rides, shows, attractions and characters (such as Harry Potter, Hollywood, Water World).
Among these are Transformers Metrobase, the first Transformers-themed land in the world, featuring an expanded and completely fictionalized story with China as the backdrop; Jurassic World Isla Nublar, the legendary film franchise brought to life in a fully realized environment that includes the Jurassic World Adventure ride; Minion Land, the largest Minion-themed experience in the world, where guests meet characters and explore iconic locations from the blockbuster films. Also of note are the Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness, Universal’s first Kung Fu Panda-themed land, entirely indoors and rich in traditional Chinese cultural elements; and the outstanding “Untrainable” live show based on How to Train Your Dragon, which uses a superb combination of large scale puppetry, projections, animation, and live action stunts.
The parkwide entertainment program differentiates itself by integrating top Chinese Is such as league of legends in the parade and Honor of Kings Heroes LIVE. The live entertainment is performed almost entirely by the cast in Chinese, and features prominently in the programming to meet the Chinese audience preference for live shows. In bespoke merchandise, the Minions have a highly successful line inspired by the Chinese zodiac. In walkaround entertainment, the Transformers More than Meets the Eye featuring Megatron has been a viral hit, with live, stand-up comedy style interaction.
Overall, Universal Studios Beijing has gone all-out to localize and cater to the Chinese audience throughout the property, including retail brands with local appeal, and a strong e-commerce presence targeting the Chinese Gen-Z market.
Universal Studios Beijing has also taken the integration of technology to a new level with wide use of biometrics and facial recognition (Al) for entry (speed gates) and ticketing/ payments providing a seamless experience throughout the resort, and 5G technology.
UPR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP Tom Williams, Chairman, Universal Parks and Resorts Mark Woodbury, Vice Chairman, UP & President, Universal Creative Tom Mehrmann, President &COO, Pacific Rim, UPR, Universal Orlando Thierry Coup, SVP, Chief Creative Officer, Universal Parks and Resorts Joseph Hoskin, EVP/GM Page Thompson, President &COO, New Ventures Mike Davis, SVP/ Executive Producer
UNIVERSAL CREATIVE- CORE Brawner Greer, SVP, Legal Affairs Daniel “Dan” Memis, SVP/CFO, Creative Steve Blum, SVP Ride Safety & Engineering Mike Hightower, SVP, Executive Project Director- International Charles “Charlie” Gundaker, SVP, Executive Project Director, UPR Modesto Alcala, SVP, Global Restaurant Development Caryl Lucarelli, SVP, HR-Universal Creative&Intl Eugene Dobryn, SVP, Project Management Office, Universal Orlando Mike Harrington, VP, Project Director Christopher Oliver, VP, Engineering &Safety Doug Akers, VP, Park Operations Mike Kiddoo, VP, Engineering &Safety Ride/ Show Christopher Oliver, VP, Engineering &Safety Janelle Lin, VP, Compensation &Global Mobility Randy Mariano, VP, Resort Development Xuan “Shawn” Yun, VP, Legal Affairs Zhenchun “Charles” Shi, VP, Development Carter Williams, VP, Executive Project Director, Finance
UNIVERSAL CREATIVE – PROJECT TEAM Alex Abdala Castano, Asst Mgr, Technical Ora “Melissa” Adams, Sr. Director, Projects (Land) Anthony Aguilar, Sr. Designer, Attraction Gareth Akehurst, Manager, A/V/Projection/Lighting Mohammed Aldada, Assoc. Designer, Architectural David Alter, Mgr, Parkwide Systems Richard Amiss, Mgr, Technical Show Na “Anna” An, Sr. Manager, Talent Acquisition Yuetong “Heather” An, Coordinator, Technical Chris Anders, Asst. Manager, Facility Design Marcus Anderson, Sr. Engineer, Controls Beth Andes, Coordinator, Contracts Jim Andrews, S.r Manager, Engineering &Safety Maryann Arca, Sr Master Scheduler Dean Armenti, Manager, Technical Show Eliyar Ayrat, Manager, Technical (Lighting) Farooq Baig, Sr. Manager, Project Facility Mechanical Osman Baig, Manager, Interior Design John Bakken, Manager, Technical Show Kiley Barnard, Producer, Creative Carlos Beato, Project Engineer, Facility (Structural) Julion Bel, Engineer Kayla Bel, Representative, Global Mobility Julian Beloiu, Sr. Engineer Michael Belt, Sr. Manager, Project Edwin Benitez Jr., Mgr, Network Systems Ron Bennett, Sr. Designer, Conceptual Architectural William Benson Jr, Assoc. Engineer James Bertoncello, Engineer Lucinda “Lu” Biri, Manager, Logistics Sally Biernestad, Coordinator, RICP Kevin Blakeney, Mgr, Area Development Erika Blakeney, Asst. Manager, Interior Design Thom Boessel, Asst. Director, Projects (CITYWALK, Resort Master Planning) Ryan Bona, S.r Manager, Lighting Design & Technical Systems Bob Bowman, Production Art Director (Rockwork) Marc Bradman, Engineer lan Brazell, Asst. Director, Engineering & Safety Dorothy Bresnahan, Sr Mgr, Graphics Fab & Implementation Michael Brister, Sr Animator, Ride &Show Christopher Brown, Engineer Heather Brown, Manager, Global Mobility Katherine “Kay” Brown, Coordinator, Technical Melody Brown, Manager, Contracts Lloyd Brown I, Asst. Director, Engineering & Safety Dante Bruno, Assoc. Designer, Show/ Set Cynthia Buck, Assoc. Manager, Project Ryan Buck, Coordinator, RICP Tom Buck, Sr. Manager, Project Logistics Operations Michel Louis Bultel, Production Art Director David Bush, Sr. Manager, Technical Show Weiqian “Olivia” Cai, Coordinator, Technical – Lighting Xinyi “Selina” Cai, Asst. Director, Finance Yanhua “Nicole” Cai, Coordinator, Technical Renee Camp, Assoc. Producer, Media Natalie Campbell, Executive Administrative Asst. Jeremy Campbell, Engineer Xuemei Cao, Production Art Director Yong “Jason” Cao, Engineer (Mechanical) Andrew Carbonar, Programmer, Show Quentin Caron, Production Art Director (Rockwork) John Cashman Jr, Sr Mgr, Engineering &Safety Matteo Casto, S.r Art/Production Director (Hardscapes/AD) Maximiliano Castrillon, Analyst, Field Services Claudio Cellucci Jr., Assoc. Producer, Media Stephanie Chamney, S.r Manager, Engineering &Safety Kwok Ho “Stephen” Chan, Production Art Director Ray Chan, Sr. Manager, Project Felix Rodriguez Chao, Designer, Architectural (Facilities / Facades) Jennifer Chapman, Representative, Human Resources Matthew Chapman, Sr. Manager, Technical Na “Selena” Chen, Sr Manager, Business Administration Ping “Catherine” Chen, Director, Legal &Business Affairs Tianmiao “Wusan” Chen, Production Art Director Xi Chen, Manager, Technical (Ride Controls) Xiaoxi Chen, Analyst, Financial Projects YanXiu Chen, Manager, Technical Yu “Floyd” Chen, Production Art Director Zhi Chen, Engineer Shijing “Kely” Cheng, Coordinator, Office Creative Chi-Kit Cheung, Sr. Manager, Facility Design Hsiao-Te “Ted” Ching, Manager, A/V/Projection/Lighting Khah Leang “KL” Choon, Manager, Technical [Lighting) Yun-Chu Chou, Designer, Production Ray Chowning, Sr. Engineer, Controls Kati Rose Christensen, Coordinator, Technical Judy Christie, Executive Administrative Asst. Wayne Clark, Sr. Manager, Graphic Fabrication & Implementation Jeremy Clow, Sr. Manager, Technical Jonathan Cloward, Sr. Producer, Show Camille Coladonato, Producer, Media Dirk Coleman, Sr. Manager, Facility Design Jeraldy Collazo, S.r Coordinator, Show Jeffrey Collins, Asst. Director, Global Safety Operations James “Jay” Cooper I, Sr. Manager, Planning & Area Development Design Rich Cox, Sr. Manager, Technical Jon Craine, Creative Director Kendra Cuffe, Manager, Project Carly Damstra, Coordinator, Travel &Expense Prg-Crtv Rui “Rebecca” Dang, Engineer Janette Dansby, Representative, Contracts Agnes David-Hoffman, Sr. Manager, Project Olivier De Kegel, Manager, A/V/Projection/ Lighting Rebecca Dean, Manager, Ride &Show Engineering Brayan Delgado, Engineer (Controls) Kyle Dembinski, Manager, Ride & Show Engineering Bob Dennis, Creative Director Bradley Dickenson, Director, Human Resources Kathrynn DiGenova, Producer, Show Andrew DiGenova, Producer, Show Xue “Barbara” Dong, Coordinator, Finance Richard Donofrio, S.r Manager, Planning & Area Development Design Deanna “DeeDee” Draz-Barreras, Production Art Director (Props/Scenic) Joe Drury, Manager, Project Xuefei “Sophie” Duan, Scheduler Paul Dumond, Ast. Manager, IT Paul Dumond, Asst Mgr, UC Technology Allison Duncan, Sr. Representative, Human Resources Roberto Duran Marti, Manager, Ride & Show Engineering Luciana Durchin, Analyst, Financial-Projects Sarah Eaton, Asst. Manager, Technical Chris Ecklund, Assoc. Engineer David Edwards, Production Art Director Kazimiera Elson, Sr. Representative, Global Mobility Jodi Ernst, Sr. Director, Facility Design Rick Erpenbeck, Director, Contracts Daniel Eshak, Sr. Manager, Engineering & Safety Irene Eshak, Sr. Manager, Facility Design Gustavo Estrella, Sr. Manager, Facility Design Donald Falvo, Sr. Manager, Engineering & Safety Xu “Peter” Fan, Manager, A/V/Projection/ Lighting Greg Faris, Manager, A/V/Projection/Lighting Jack Feivou, S.r Producer, Show Guoging “Leo” Feng, Ast. Manager, A/V/Projection/Lighting Jianwei “Jason” Feng, Engineer (Controls) Adrian Finnegan, Production Art Director Mike Fish, Art Director (Facades) Jason Fitzgerald, Assoc. Engineer (Controls) Robert Fitzpatrick, Engineer Sean Fitzpatrick, Sr Dir. Engineering & Safety Kery Flynn, Coordinator, Global Mobility Sebastien Foisy, Engineer Eric Fox, Manager, Project Facility Richard Freudenthal, Manager, Technical Chris Frisella, Sr. Producer, Show Shuai “Frank” Fu, Assoc. Production Art Director Sam Funke, Assoc. Designer, Architectural (Facilities / Facades) George Gakoumis Jr., Art Director Michael Gamgene, S.r Manager, Technical Show Tiandong “Alvin” Gao, Engineer Yalei “‘Heather” Gao, Manager, Finance Thomas “Tommy” Garcia Jr, Sr Mgr, Technical Show Stephen Garforth, Manager, Props Dressing & Design Michael Gargano, Manager, Facility Design Russell “Rusty” Gates, Sr. Mgr, Engineering & Safety William Gear, Representative, Contracts Blake Gebhart, Sr. Manager, Project Facility (ELV) Dennis Gebkin, Engineer Allison Geiser, Manager, Finance Yi “Sean” Geng, Sr. Specialist, Global Mobility Yixiong “Ethan” Geng, Manager, Technical (Mechanical) Steven Gensmer, Engineer (R/S) John Gentile, Sr. Director, Executive Producer Hillary Gesele, Director, Global Mobility Alundra Gibbs, Administrator, Contracts Crinilda “Cece” Gil, Supervisor, Contracts Jianwei “Michael” Gong, Engineer Gary Graham, Sr. Manager, Technical Tracy Green, Dir, Engineering & Safety Daniel Greer, Manager, Project Leigh Grey, Manager, Planning & Area Development Design Kmi Gromoll, Designer I, Creative Zhigang “Diego” Guo, Engineer (Mechanical) Zhigiang Guo, Production Art Director Martha Gutierrez, Designer, Show/Set Jared Hagens, Manager, Facility Design Lei “ris” Han, Coordinator, Graphics Yepeng “Sabrina” Han, Coordinator, Show Michael Hankin, Designer, Architectural Tom Hargrove, Sr. Director, Projects (Land) Steve Harland, Engineer Ashlee Hawk, Coordinator, Facility John “Clif” Hawkins I, Production Art Director Grace Haynes, Engineer Ru Jia “Joyce” He, S.r Interpreter / Translator (Foreign Language) Xinping”Maggie”He, Ast. Manager, Project Yuan “lan” He, Ast. Manager, Project Holly Hearns, Administrator, Contracts Jason Heimermann, Sr. Manager, Facility Design Jessica Hendricks, Sr. Coordinator, Show Curtis Henry, Sr. Manager, Technical Amanda Hepner, Administrator, Contracts Peyton Hess, Designer I, Creative Robert “Jamie” Hewett, Mar, Props – Creative Guoping “Stephen” He, Manager, Graphics Fabrication & Implementation Dorris “Suzanne” Holland, Supervisor, Contracts Alesha Hollatz, Assoc. Manager, Project Daniel Hoon, Mgr, Technical Richard Howard, Sr. Engineer Shuteng “Vincent Hu, Engineer (Mechanical) Jiani “Jennie” Huang, Assoc. Production Art Director Lu Huang, Analyst, Cost Pei Huang, Manager, Project Wei Cheng “Wayne” Huang, Manager, Technical Lighting Xu “Sue” Huang, Coordinator, Show Zhong “Alice” Huang, Interpreter / Translator (Foreign Language) Steve Hubbard, Manager, Network Systems Clinton Hughey – Trueman, Manager, A/V/ Projection/Lighting Adam Hyskel, Engineer Ralph Iles I, Asst. Director, Engineering &Safety Steven Lee James, Sr. Director, Utility Planning and Design Dan Jenkins, Creative Director Jannik Jensen, Sr Engineer Can “Aaron” Jiang, Engineer Xiaoging “Sunny” Jin, Sr. Interpreter / Translator Eric Johnson, Estimator Maureen Johnston, Production Art Director Robert “Bob” Jones, Sr. Manager, Facility Design Matthew Jones, Sr Director, Creative Eric Kaminsky, Engineer Chung “Tiffany” Kan, Analyst, Financial Projects Xiaopeng Kang, Project Engineer, Facility (Resort) Christopher Kania, Assoc. Designer, Graphics Cameron Kania, Programmer, Show RBrandon Kearns, Producer, Media Jenniter Keim, Manager, Technical Documentation Raymond “Ray” Keim, Designer, Concept Illustrator Ronald Keller, Jr, Sr. Manager, Technical (Flames/ Руго) Jeffrey Kelso, Sr Mgr, Engineering & Safety Alexander “Sandy” Kent, Technical Director Daniel Kent, Director, Engineering& Satety Alyssa “Aly” Kilian, Associate Animator, Figure Animation Barbara Killian, Master Scheduler Robert Kipping, Programmer, Show Brian Kirkland Jr, Engineer Ashley Kitchen, Coordinator, Project Brian Kivlen, Sr. Producer, Show Brandon Kleyla, Manager, Props Dressing & Design Michael Klos, Sr Analyst, Field Services Clara Koeneke, Manager, Project Operations David Kohlbacher, Sr. Manager, Engineering & Satety Danielle Korotko, Manager, A/V/Projection/ Lighting Richard Krent, Sr. Manager, Facility Design Jeffrey Kujawa, Director, Administration Courtney Kurtzweg, Representative, Human Resources Lawrence “Jake” La Fond, Manager, Graphics Fabrication & Implementation Xiaoying Lang, Designer I, Creative Carl Langford, Representative, Contracts Dan “Louise” Lau, Coordinator, Show Wai Kuen “Tommy” Lau, Manager, Technical (Controls) Shu “Catherine” Law, Manager, Parkwide Systems Eliza Lee, Representative, Human Resources Marcus Lee, Creative Director Brent LeMaster, Manager, Project Facility Gary Lergier Hernandez, Asst Mgr, CU Technology Neysha Polo Lespin, Analyst, Cost Samantha Levine, Coordinator, Facility Thomas Lewis, Manager, Finance Chunping Li, Production Art Director Dongran “lydia” Li, Interpreter / Translator (Foreign Language) Fan “Susan” L,i Sr Manager, Project Jian “Linda” L,i Scheduler Jiatu li, Assoc Engineer Jiaxin “Dani” L,i Representative, Nomenclature & localization Kai L,i Asoc. Engineer (Mechanical) Linyao L,i Asoc. Project Scheduler Rongting “Roselyn” L,i Coordinator, Show Ruiqi “Katherine” L,i Coordinator, Media Shiyu “‘hoebe” Li, Coordinator, Media Xiang “Alicia” L,i Executive Administrative Ast. Xiang “Alicia” L,i Manager, Translation Xianhui “Mike” L,i Manager, Technical (Show Controls) Xiaogang L,i Production Art Director Xinyi “Maggie” Li Analyst, Cost (Accounts Payable) Yinming L,i Manager, A/V/Projection/Lighting Yuchen Li, Production Art Director Zhen “Brooks” Li, Manager, A/V/Projection/ Lighting Zhishuang “Milo” L,i S.r Specialist, Show – Hardscapes Jessica Liang, Engineer Nolan Liberto, Assistant Director, Attraction Ops Ling Ling “lynne” Lin, S.r Specialist, Show- Sculpture Yixuan “Lexi” Lin, Coordinator, Creative Zesen “Jason” Lin, Coordinator, Human Resources Christopher “Christo” Linquata, Production Art Director Dan “Flora” Liv, Coordinator, Show Jiagi Liv, Associate Project Manager Jing “Hellen” Liv, Executive Administrative Asst. Jinmeng “Jane” Liv, Coordinator, Project Meicheng “Maggie” Liv, Admin Assistant Pei Liv, Designer, Architectural Qin “Louise” Liv, Coordinator, Project (P&D) Rebecca Liv, Manager, Interior Design Robert Liv, Sr. Director, Facility Design Xiao “Dany” Liv, Manager, A/V/Projection/ Lighting Javier Llavona, Sr. Manager, Project Facility (Electrical) Stacie Long, Financial Analyst Melina Lopez Cora, Coordinator, Show Sergio Lopez Flores, Assoc. Engineer Man On “leo” Lou, Manager, Digital Projects Kylie Lowell, Assoc. Designer, Interiors Johnnie Loy, Sr. Manager, Facility Design Xiaoting “Leighton” Luan, Interpreter / Translator (Foreign Language) Daniel Lucas, Art Director Anthony Lucchesi, Coordinator, Technical Naysa Luna, Sr. Manager, BIM (Parkwide Standards\ Jiaxing “Justin” Luo, Engineer Pan “Dancy” Luo, S.r Analyst, Cost Vicky Lyu, Coordinator, Show Milai “Miffy” Ma, Manager, Technical (Lighting) Weibing Ma, Production Art Director Xni “Emma” Ma, Coordinator, Technical Michael Maddamma, Designer, Architectural Michael Maddamma, Sr Designer, Show / Set Steven Madole, Sr Engineer, Controls Caitlin Magness, Asst. Manager, Project Thomas Mahaffey, Manager, A/V/Projection/Lighting Lourdes Malinovsky, Manager, Human Resources Emmanuel Manalo, Production Art Director Alex Marcello, Ast. Manager, Intellectual Property Sylvain Marcotte, Manager, A/V/Projection/Lighting Sue Marrero, Ast. Manager, Project -Facilities Thara Marrero, S.r Manager, RICP Anna Martin, Manager, A/V/Projection/Lighting Jason Marylander, Mgr, Technical Kimberly McCaslin, Mgr, Technical Amanda McClard, Coordinator, Technical Dennis McCormick, Sr. Manager, Engineering & Safety Darby McDonald, Sr. Manager, Finance William McGehee, Director, Engineering &Safety William McKenna, Designer, Attraction Lauren Meena, Manager, Planning & Area Development Design Paul Meena, Asst. Director, Administration Stephanie Megill, Coord, Project Chen “Mike” Meng, Coordinator, Technical Er Meng, Production Art Director Israel Mercado, S.r Designer, Show/Set Richard Meyer, S.r Engineer, Controls Nathan Mikulski, Assoc. Engineer Lenna Minion, Sr. Manager, Technical Joshua Mock, Assoc. Designer, FA Technical Reinaldo “Monty” Montero, Manager, Project Erik Morris, Manager, Technical (Lighting) Jessica Morris, Assoc. Producer Saul Mudd, S.r Manager, Engineering & Safety Robert Murphy, Sr. Manager, Facility Design Mary Jo Murray, Supervisor, Travel & Expense Prg-Crtv Bret Neeld, Sr. Coordinator, Show Andra “Andy” Nelli, Manager, Interior Design Sabrina Newton, Coordinator, Technical Connie Nicdao, Manager, Facility Design Aaron Nielsen, Analyst, Cost Niels Nielsen, Art Director Xinran “Cindy” Ning, Coordinator, Project Tittany Novotny, Supervisor, Contracts Mark O’Brien, Sr. Manager, Technical Amy O’Malley, SAE (Props) Dean Orion, Creative Director Gloria Ossa Carmona, Asst. Manager, Interior Design Ray “Charles” Otte, S.r Producer, Show (Land) John Paul “JP” Pagulayan, Sr. Manager, Technical Show Lei “Tyler” Pang, Manager, A/V/Projection/ Lighting Laura Panno, Manager, A/V/Projection/Lighting Leon “Lee” Parrott, Sr. Director, Projects (Land) Michael Pattison, USH Animations Technician Haley Paulsen, Designer ,I Creative Nicole Payton, Coordinator, Media Peiqi “Peggy” Peng, Coordinator, Project Leanne Penna, Engineer Elena Peraua, Assoc. Designer, Interiors Paul Perez, Manager, Show (Animation, SFX, SAEI Richard Perkinson, Sr. Manager, Project Facility [Civill Robert Perrier, Estimator Angela Persons, Engineer Janene Pettus, Mgr, Technical (Lighting) Brian Phraner, Manager, A/V/Projection/ Lighting Richard Pietruszka, Engineer (Controls) Tessa Pobanz, Assoc. Designer, Architectural Aris Poulos, Assoc. Producer Michael Powers, Engineer Elizabeth “Betsy” Prokes, Asst. Manager, Interior Design Stefani Put, Sr Mgr, Interior Design Shuyuan “Julia” Qiv, Manager, Project Tai Quach, Manager, Technical Pamela Quesada, Coord, Technical Anthony Quibin, Production Art Director Patrice Ragusa, S.r Mgr, Planning &Area Development Design Cary Ramos, Asoc. Engineer (Mechanical) Gregory Rel, Asst. Dir, Engineering & Safety Shan Ren, Manager, Project Lyn Rickelts, S.r Designer, Show/Set Nickolas Rigney, Sr. Manager, Engineering & Satetv Jmi Ritchie, Sr. Manager, Facility Design Jody Rivera, Sr. Coordinator, Project (Prolog) James “Jim” Roberts, Sr Engineer Victoria Robertson, Assoc Designer, Interiors Ronald Robichaud, Production Art Director Megan Robinson, Assoc. Animator, Figure Animation Gabriel Rodriguez, Manager, Facility Design William “Bil” Rodriguez, Mgr, AVPL Hector Roel, USH Animations Foreman Kate Rogers, Production Art Director Peter Rohleder, Director, Estimating Chase Roles, Sr. Manager, BIM Ivette Rosado, Executive Administrative Asst. Darlene Royer, Representative, Contracts Franklin Ruffin I, Manager, Ride &Show Engineering Kirsten Ruhs, Sr. Director, Production Art & Design Christina Shum, Engineer Absar Siddiqui, Sr. Analyst, Cost Steven Silvestri, Production Art Director, Brand Sponsorship Kyle Simmons, Show Programming Manager Thomas Simoneau, Assoc. Designer, Architectural Grant Simpson, Manager, Technical (Show Controls) John Sirabella, Assoc. Producer Marciano “Dylan” Sitlapersad, S.r Representative, Global Mobility Official Credits List – UniversalStudiosBeijing Kurt Rutz, Manager, Technical Neal Smith, Manager, Technical Ken Saba, Sr. Producer, Media Geraldine”Gerrie” Santos, Sr. Director, Projects L a n d ) Deb Sassak, Manager, Graphics Fabrication & I m p l e m e n t a t i o n Natalia Savorotca, Assoc. Designer, Architectural (Facilities / Facades) Anita “Gina” Scheraldi, Asoc. Producer Howard Schlieper, Asst. Director, Engineering & Safety Evan Seccombe, Designer, Show/ Set Rommel Sedano, Production Art Director Gregory Self, Mgr, Technical Lewis”Skip” Setliff I, S.r Director, Projects (Land) Ken Shaffer, Manager, Graphics Fabrication & I m p l e m e n t a t i o n Marcelo Shah, Manager, A/V/Projection/ Lighting Katelyn Shallue, Designer ,I Creative Shabnam Shams, Assoc Animator, Figure Animation Phillip Shaw, Sr. Manager, Technical Ying “Serena” She. Sr. Administrative Asst. Xiaoging Shen, Coordinator, Gov Relations-UPR [BIl Huiying”Sophie” Shi, Coordinator, Project Rebecca Rose Shuker, Sr. Analyst, Cost Kevin Smith, Asst Dir, Engineering &Safety Catrina Solano, Scheduler Wenyu “Bety” Song, Asst. Manager, Interior Design Yifei Song, Coordinator, Show Michael Souza, Assoc. Producer Toni Spears-ladage, Director, Contracts Mark Spencer, Sr. Manager, Planning &Area Development Design Jeffrey Spoor, Manager, Graphics Fabrication & Implementation Lora Spran, Sr. Manager, Interior Design Michael Sprouls, Assoc. Writer Kristen Steimer, Engineer Andre Steimer, Engineer Bob Stephens, Sr. Director, Project Scheduling Eileen Stephens, S.r Director, Projects (Land) Wenjie “Danny” Su, Manager, A/V/Projection/ Lighting Michael Suarez, Manager, Project Facility Franklin Sumner, Coordinator, RICP Jiaqi “Jessie” Sun, Coordinator, Technical Kaidi “Vicki” Sun, Admin Assistant Xiaolei “Sunny” Sun, Sr. Manager, Human Resources Richard Swim, Sr Mgr, Props- Creative Charles Szczech, Art Director Francis Tam, Assoc. Engineer
Yuan Tan, Coordinator, Show Mingliang Tang, Production Art Director Richard “Matthew” Tang, Manager, A/V/ Projection/Lighting Tianyi “Mia” Tang, Associate Accountant Eliot Taylor, Asst. Dir., Engineering & Safety Jesse Techentin, Designer I, Creative David Thomas, S.r Manager Project, Facility [Mechanical) Jay Thompson, Sr. Manager, Technical Conor Thornton, Manager, Facility Design Yu Tian, Manager, Show (Animation, SFX, SAE) Cherisse Tilet, Assoc. Produce Phillip Tinkes, Sr. Coordinator, RICP Nguyen “Phat” Tran, Ast. Manager, Facility Design Tery Trauger, Asst Dir, Engineering &Safety Michael Traxler, Sr. Mgr, Figure Finishing Matthew Trombley, Production Art Director Pao-Ni “Pony” Tseng, Manager, Interior Design Kristin Turner, Coordinator, Facility Jules Vallier, Sr Production Designer Chris Vamos, Engineer Mark Vanderlip, S.r Manager, Technical (Ride Controls) Glenn VanWinkle, Assoc. Engineer Brittany Vega, Assoc. Producer Nicolas Rodriguez Villar Mac-Veigh, Sr. Production Art Director Scot Verble, Producer, Show Anthony Villani, Master Scheduler Stacie Vizoso, Analyst, Financial Projects Kirk Walchek, Manager, Props Dressing &Design Debra Walker, Director, Media Production Stan Walker, Sr. Director, Projects (Land) Brad Wallace, Coordinator, RICP Chao “Nathan” Wang, Ast. Manager, A/V/ Projection/Lighting Chia-Wei “David” Wang, Manager, Interior Design Dafa “ Eric” Wang, E ngineer Hongyuan “Barry” Wang, Engineer liao”Sonia” Wang, S.r Specialist, Technica l- Project Juntao “William Wang, Coordinator, Graphics Kaili Wang, Sr. Manager, Facility Design Minyan Wang, Coordinator, Show Rui Wang, Manager, Facility Design Viva Wang, Designer, Show/Set Xiao “Carey” Wang, Coordinator, Show Xiao Wang, Coordinator, Graphics Xiaohan “Han” Wang, Designer ,I Creative Xiaoyu “Karen” Wang, Coordinator, Finance Xinwei “Iris” Wang, Coordinator, Technical Yali “Rebecca” Wang, Coordinator, Finance Yali W a n g , Assoc. Production Art Director Yicong “Gin” Wang, Coordinator, Project (P&D) Yong Wang, Scheduler Mindy Ward, Asoc. Producer Allan Warhaftig, Manager, Ride Show Engineering Xiaoxiao “Dilys” Wei, Coordinator, Graphics Norman Weise, Art Director (Facades) Fang Wen, S.r Manager, Facility Design Gao Wen, Manager, Building Information Modeling Jianming “Neil” Wen, Manager, Network Systems Shun “Sophia” Wen, Manager, Art Production Ken Wheatley, Sr. Manager, Technical Show Garrett Whisnant, Assoc. Designer, Interiors Spencer Whittaker, Coordinator, Contracts Wes Whitten, Sr. Coordinator, Show Rachel Wilcox, Coordinator, Facility Natalie Wilkie, Project Engineer, Facility [ E l e c t r i c a l Michelle Willet, S.r Production Art Director UNIVERSA Ashley Williams, Assoc. Producer, Media Kurt Wilson, Sr. Manager, Technical Timothy Wilson, Manager, A/V/Projection/ Lighting Josh Wiseman, S.r Manager, Planning &Area Development Design Eric Wong, Engineer Benjamin Wszalek, Assoc. Manager, Project Rebecca Wszalek, Sr. Analyst, Cost Jianyu “Jason” Wu, Engineer Tianmi “Claire” Wu, Sr. Coordinator, Show Zhaoyi Wu, Interpreter / Translator (Foreign Language) Ying Wu, Animator, Figure Animation Brandon Wyatt, Sr. Manager, Props Dressing & Design Zhenzhen Xian, Sr. Manager, Facility Design M e n g i e Xing, Interpreter / Translator (Foreign Language) Fangyuan “Tom” Xiu, Analyst, Financial Projects Fei “Karl” XU, Coordinator, Technical Ren Xu, Manager, A/V/Projection/Lighting Yingying “Alice” XU, Coordinator, Technical Xiaofei “Jake” Yan, Engineer Yan Yan, Designer ,I Creative Fang “Frances” Yang, Coordinator, Technical Wanlin Yang, Production Art Director Weiten Yang, Sr. Manager, Facility Design Yangxuan “Zenith” Yang,Coordinator, Media Jun “Erik” Yi, Manager, Building Information Modeling Jun Yi, Coordinator, Technical Shimin “Elvis” Yi, Manager, Technical- Lighting Ting-Shan “Charles” Yin, Manager, Network Systems Chengyin “Becky” Yu, Coordinator, Graphics Hongbo Yu, Manager, Technical (Mechanical) Liping “Harriet” Yu, Coordinator, Facility Siyun “Mary” Yu, Sr. Admin Assistant Yue”Melissa” Yu, S.r Coordinator, Human Resources Haidi Yuan, Assoc. Production Art Director Hui “Jackie” Yuan, Assoc. Producer Yuan “Olivia” Tian, Coordinator, Project Joe Zabrosky, Sr. Manager, BMI Min “Dorothy” Zeng, Coordinator, Technical Tina Zeno, Mgr, Props- Creative Wenivan “Jennifer” Zhan, Director, Development & Government Relations Bo Zhang, Asst. Manager, Facility Design Haoran “Scott Zhang, Designer ,I Creative Jiahuan “Victoria” Zhang, Coordinator, Technical Jiawei “Kelvin” Zhang, Engineer Jie Zhang, Designer, Graphic-Creative long Zhang, Production Art Director Ning “Ariel” Zhang, Coordinator, Technical Pengyu “Sean” Zhang, Sr. Interpreter /Translator (Foreign Language) Qianrui”Cherry’ Zhang, Designer ,I Creative Shuchuan Zhang, Admin Assistant Tianyu “Skye” Zhang, Interpreter / Translator (Foreign Language)
A well-designed outdoor pool area can create a sanctuary of leisure and relaxation for you, your family, and friends. One essential element to achieving that perfect ambiance is comfortable and stylish seating. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of making a unique, custom bench for your pool area using black stained concrete and red oak wood. This elegant fusion of materials will not only add a touch of sophistication to your outdoor space but also provide a durable, weather-resistant seating option for years to come.
Materials:
Black stained concrete mix
Red oak wood planks
Wood sealant
Concrete mold
Concrete release agent
Concrete sealer
Wood screws
Heavy-duty brackets
Tools:
Trowel
Level
Saw
Sandpaper
Power drill
Paintbrush
Step 1: Preparing the Concrete Mix and Mold Start by preparing the black stained concrete mix according to the manufacturer’s instructions. To create the bench’s legs, you will need a concrete mold that is suitable for the desired size and shape. Apply a concrete release agent to the mold to ensure easy removal of the concrete once it has set.
Step 2: Pouring the Concrete Carefully pour the black stained concrete mix into the mold, filling it to the top. Use a trowel to level the concrete, ensuring that the surface is smooth and even. Allow the concrete to cure for at least 24 hours or according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Step 3: Preparing the Red Oak Wood While the concrete cures, begin preparing the red oak wood planks for the bench’s seat. Cut the planks to your desired length, ensuring they are equal in size. Sand the wood until it is smooth and free of any rough edges.
Step 4: Sealing the Red Oak Wood To protect the wood from the elements and enhance its natural beauty, apply a wood sealant to the planks. This process may require multiple coats, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results. Allow the sealant to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
Step 5: Removing the Concrete from the Mold Once the concrete has fully cured, carefully remove the bench legs from the mold. Gently sand any rough edges or imperfections using sandpaper. To add an extra layer of protection and a polished finish, apply a concrete sealer to the legs following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 6: Assembling the Bench Lay the red oak wood planks on a flat surface, spacing them evenly to create the bench seat. Place the concrete legs beneath the seat, ensuring they are level and evenly spaced. Secure the wood planks to the concrete legs using heavy-duty brackets and wood screws, making sure to pre-drill holes to avoid splitting the wood.
Your new black stained concrete and red oak wood bench is now ready to grace your pool area with elegance and functionality. The contrast between the dark concrete and the rich red oak creates a striking visual impact, while the sturdy construction ensures it will withstand the test of time. Enjoy the satisfaction of crafting this stunning piece for your outdoor oasis and take pride in the compliments it is sure to receive.
